The Netherland’s experience with decentralisation

Iris de Graaff-Kamphof Msc.

Policy advisor Department of Governance and Finance Ministry of Interior affairs and Kingdom Relations

Introduction to the Dutch public sector

Three main layers over government: - Central Government, located in The Hague - 12 Provinces And 388 municipalities Introduction to the Dutch public sector

Also: - 23 water boards (functional - The European Union task) - The Kingdom of the Netherlands The principles of a decentralised unitary state • Since 1848, the Netherlands has been a decentralised unitary state.

• The central government has trust in abilities of local and regional governments. More and more, the three layers of government work together as partners.

• The Minister of Interior affairs encourages decentralisation, especially with regard to local government, and is bound to that by the Municipalities Act (art. 117)

• The central government guarantees the unity of state The development of social policy in the NL

• First social legislation dates back to the 19th century: a minor law setting down rules for employing young people and women.

• Today, the Netherlands have one of the most extensive bodies of social legislation in the world.

• The main principle of the social system is that all members of society must be able to play an equally active role in society. Decentralisation in the Netherlands • 2011: Agreement on decentralisation • Goal: powerful, strong en service oriented form of government by decentralising policy- and decisionmaking responsibilities • To reach that goal, substantial tasks and responsibilities were transferred to regional and local government – To the regional level: • Regional economic policy • Nature • Spatial planning • Traffic and Transport – To the local level: • Youth care • Long-term care • Income support Decentralisation of social policy Effective on January 1st, 2015

– Participation Act – Youth Act – (new) Social support Act

1. Self-reliance of the citizen 2. Organising services closer to the citizen 3. Integrated approach

 New and complex responsabilities for municipalities  Impact on the current organisation of the municipalities

Participation Act – Merger and decentralisation of the work for youth with disabillity act, Work and Social Assistance Act (WWB)

note: municipalities are already responsible for the assistance budget and the joint sheltered employment

– Help citizens to stay employed – Labour market for young and old people, with or without limitations – Support their own power – Active support where required

Youth Act – Municipalities become responsible for all youth care services – More efficient, coherent and cost-effective – Focus on prevention

• Problems regarding the current youth care system: 1. Imbalance in focus 2. Fragmentation 3. The prevailing practice of referring clients 4. Increased use of care 5. Unmanageability

 Revising the system  A decentralised and transformed youth care system

(new) Social Support Act • Municipalities become responsible for supporting the self-reliance of citizens and participation of people with limitations and mental health problems

• Everyday environment

• Domestic help

• Daytime activities

Role of the Ministry of Interior Affairs – Cohesion proposed decentralisations

– Partnerships/good governance

– Transformation of the municipalities

– Support to the municipalities

Regional partnerships – 35 labour market regions – 42 youth care regions – More than 50 social support-regions

Subregions and supra-regional partnerships

Local implementation method • Social Teams in cities, towns and neighborhoods • Comprehensive approach: bringing different fields of expertise together, close to the people Effect on public service delivery • New methods of implementation and execution lead to a new way of public service delivery • Transformation of the way we work has short-term and long-term effects Questions & Remarks